Yarn treating jet



June 13, 1967 J. T. BURNS ETAL V 3,3

YARN TREATING JET Filed May 26, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR J /m mamas Eur/o5 am/V C/f /g/lbf/z 3,324,526 YARN TREATING JET John Thomas Burns, li-llendersonville, Tenn, and Dominick Gigliotti, Greenville, Del, assignors to E. I. du Pont de Nemonrs and Company, Wilmington, DeL, a corporation of Delaware Fiied May 26, 1365, Ser. No. 459,027 2 Claims. ((Jl. 28]l) This invention relates to a new and useful apparatus for the fluid treatment of filamentary material. More particularly, it relates to a jet-bulking apparatus for the treatment of filamentary material.

Continuous filament yarns are often passed through air jets in order to increase the bulk and covering power of the yarn. The apparatus employed to carry out these fluid processes requires a free end of yarn and an auxiliary means of lacing the yarn through the nozzle to commence the yarn treatment. The time required to accomplish the string-up reduces labor and machine efficiency and results in product waste, particularly when the treatment is to be operated at high yarn speeds or is integrated with another yarn treatment. To facilitate this threading step, jets have been devised which permit the insertion of a running yarn into the treating passageway without interrupting the continuous travel of yarn. Cormier et al. in U.S. Patent 2,995,801 discloses the use of a removable dove-tail slide to provide access to the yarn passage. Bauer in US. Patent 2,938,257 uses a hinged assembly which may be opened to thread the runningyarn and a latch to clamp the parts together for the bulking operation.

This treatment provides an improved apparatus for fluid treatment of a plurality of filamentary yarns with means of rapid access to the treating passage for lacing of the yarns, cleaning or replacement. The string-up operation for a plurality of yarns is much easier and quicker than with individual treating jets for each yarn. The form of the device permits economical fabrication of complex yarn treating passages. The apparatus is particularly suited to fluid treatment at elevated temperatures. It also makes possible fluid processing of a plurality of running yarns at high linear speeds. The uniformity of treatment of individual yarns also is facilitated. The assembly is compact, enabling treatment of a multiplicity of yarns in much less space than would be required for separate devices for treatment of each yarn.

The accompanying drawings depict the various embodiments of this invention.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of the invention with the principal components swung apart.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of an embodiment similar to that of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a device similar to that of FIGURE 1 illustrating a pneumatic device for controlling the spacing between the main components.

In accordance with this invention there is provided an apparatus for fluid treatment of continuous substantially straight filaments comprising a body member having an essentially flat surface, a channeled cover member removably mounted over the said flat surface in substantially parallel, spaced relationship thereto, the said body member and cover together cooperating to form a plurality of passages each having a yarn inlet opening and a yarn exit opening at the extreme ends of the said passages, a slot substantially spanning the space between the said body member and the said cover member to permit equalization of pressure between said passages and to provide access to said passages from at least one side for lacing of the yarn within and through said passages, spacer means for maintaining said body member and said cover member in said substantially parallel, spaced relationship, plural duct means within said body member Operatively 3,324,526 Patented June 13, 1967 connected with each of said plurality of passages between said inlet and outlet openings for introducing a heated fluid along the length of the filaments, and a fluid delivery system within said body member for delivering said heated fluid to each of said plural duct means at substantial equivalent temperature and pressure whereby said body member is heated substantially uniformly and said filaments are substantially uniformly treated in their travel through said apparatus.

The embodiment of the apparatus illustrated in FIG- URE 1 has a body member 1 and a cover 3, which in their operating positions, are aligned in substantially parallel, spaced relationship to each other. Cover 3 has a plurality of longitudinal channels 5 which are substantially parallel and evenly distributed across the face of cover 3. Inserts 7, which are optional, may be provided within the longitudinal channels 5 to facilitate the yarn treating process. Furnished with means of adjustment and a small groove across its tip, the insert provides means for the desired positioning of the threadline within each yarn passage formed between the channel 5 and body member 1. Made of metal, ceramic or other suitable abrasionresistant material, the insert also reduces the likelihood of the damage to the filaments or excessive wear of the apparatus surfaces which might otherwise result from a rubbing action of a moving yarn in direct contact with the apparauts. The parallel, spaced relationship of the cover 3 and body member 1 is provided by spacer means illustrated in FIGURE 1 as projections 11. The projections 11 are shown here as being integral with cover 3 but adjustable pieces could likewise be employed to permit changing the space as desired. The cover 3 is maintained in parallel spaced relationship with body member 1 by means of screw 9 and is aligned in proper position by dowels 15, shown here as integral with body member I and which fit into holes 17 and 19 in cover member 3. Alternate mechanical, pneumatic or magnetic devices for holding the cover member 3 against body member 1 are readily available, as described below.

Similarly other conventional devices may be substituted for dowels 15 to align the parts. As can be seen from FIGURE 1, the screw 9 and dowels 15 are located on only one side of cover 3 beyond channels 5. This arrangement facilitates the stringing up of the filaments into the channels due to the fact that the filaments can be directed into the channels from the open side without the necessity of removing screw 9 from the body member 1. Pin 21, which is optional, is installed at the side of cover 3 to provide a temporary guide to further facilitate the lacing of each yarn or filament into its channel or treating passage.

The body member 1 has an inlet 23 through which a suitable heated plasticizing fluid, preferably steam or air, is passed. Operatively connected to the inlet 23 is a first common reservoir 25 in the central portion of body member 1 and a second common reservoir 27 in the upper portion of body member 1 Operatively connected to the first reservoir 25 by conveying means 29 here shown as tubes. The conveying means are preferably connected near the ends of reservoirs 25 and 27. Ducts 31, connected to reservoir 27, are matched with one of the channels 5 in an arrangement whereby the heated fluid is directed at a point intermediate the corresponding channel. The angle of direction of ducts 31 may vary within wide limits as is known to those familiar with the technology.

As can be seen from FIGURE 1, the various elements of the apparatus which form the fluid delivery system, namely, the inlet 23, first and second common reservoirs 25 and 27, respectively, conveying means 29, and ducts 31 are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other and where a plurality of one element exists, they are of the same size. This arrangement is highly preferred for the reason that the body member 1 will be heated substantially uniformly and each of a plurality of yarns passing through the apparatus assembly will be subjected to equal fluid treatment. The treating fluid flowing from its source is divided into essentially equal substreams which pass through ducts of essentially equal size and form, where it serves as a source for heating the treating device substantially uniformly. The substreams, having similar thermal and pressure histories, are reunited in a common reservoir and form a single source of fluid at a common temperature and pressure, to be subdivided again into separate streams for fluid treatment of the moving yarns. The fluid, of course, undergoes some loss of temperature and pressure as it loses heat during flow through the delivery system. However, by the configuration of the system, individual fluid streams of essentially equal temperature and flow rate are impinged upon a plurality of yarns and the yarns thus exposed to like fluid treatment within a single apparatus assembly. This latter result is of the utmost commercial importance as any variance in the treatment of the yarns will cause a concomitant variance in the yarns themselves.

FIGURE 2 is intended to illustrate an alternate mode of construction for the apparatus of this invention. The various parts are given the numerals for the corresponding elements of the device of FIGURE 1. The body member 1 in FIGURE 2 consists of two parts, 33 and 35, integrally connected to each other. For ease of fabrication, reservoir 25, ducts 31, conveying means 29, and a portion of reservoir 27 are machined or cast in plate 33 which is fixedly attached to part 35 to form body member 1. Except for this construction and the fact that reservoirs 25 and 27 are rectangular in shape, and are in different planes, the device of FIGURE 2 is the same as that of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIGURE 1 except that the screw 9 is replaced by a pneumatic system. The cover 3 is supported and actuated by piston rods 39 and 41. Air pressure on pistons 43 and 45 in cylinder housing 47 exerts a force on piston rods 39 and 41 which is distributed evenly over the area of cover 3 pressing it into parallel, closely spaced relationship to body 1.

The preferred system for actuating the cover is one that is capable of imparting a back-and-forth in-line motion. In FIGURE 3, pistons 39 are single-acting and only exert force against the cover to maintain an operating position. Piston 41 is a double-acting cylinder which, when properly manipulated, also causes the cover to draw away from the fixed body. Other devices can be substituted to provide movement for the cover. The hydraulic or pneumatic system provides a convenient means of regulating pressure and is rapid in action. Several mechanical means are adaptable such as a screw, rack and pinion, cam or lever. An electrical solenoid or magnetic device will also serve.

In operation, referring to the apparatus of FIGURE 1,

I the plasticizing fluid, which is pre-heated by conventional means not shown, enters inlet 23 under pressure and proceeds to reservoir 25 and from there to the second reservoir 27 by way of conveying means 29. From the reservoir 27, theheated plasticizing fluid flows into ducts 31 and is directed at filaments running within channels 5, which together with body member 1 define a partially enclosed passageway. By travel through this symmetrical circuitous path, the treating fluid heats the body uniformly near the treatment zone and is delivered uniformly to each treating passage. Measurements have shown that the temperature and flow rate of treating fluid is extremely uniform and the differences among the individual streams are very slight. Without this heating means, the temperatures in the outer treating passages are lower and the properties of the treated yarns are different from those in the inward passages.

A further advantage of this invention is the fact that yarns running at high speed can be laced into the apparatus rapidly. After the apparatus has been installed in proper position with respect to the threadlines and the flow of treating fluid started, a bundle of running yarns is led into a sucker gun or other appropriate portable stringup device. The screw 9 is loosened only enough for the cover member 3 to move away from the body member 1. The bundle of running yarns is moved through the slight gap between projections 11 and body member 1. The screw is tightened and each yarn is properly aligned in the proper treating passage and directed to the takeup mechanism such as a belt conveyor or package windup.

The opposing faces of the body and cover may be curved but must be unobstructed and accessible on at least one side so that each yarn may be laced into its treatment passage. In operation, the space between the faces need only be wide enough to permit equalization of pressure of the treating fluid between the yarn treating passages after discharging and flowing from fluid conduits. The spacing may be a few thousandths of an inch, of the order of 0.010 in. and as little as 0.004 in. By this arrangement, each of several yarns are given separate but equal fluid treatment. Each yarn travels through its individual treatment passage without interference with adjacent yarns. The spacing between body and cover is sufficiently small so that the major portion of the treating fluid passes along the treating passage with the yarn and exerting the desired effect upon the yarn.

The embodiment of FIGURE 1 is particularly advantageous in that it involves simple parts and requires no adjustment. It presents a departure from the prior art in that the treating passage does not completely surround the threadline. Nevertheless, the yarn is conveyed and treated by the fluid stream with substantially no digression from the thread path, even when highly overfed in a bulking process. It is possible to operate this apparatus without appreciable lateral flow of fluid out of the apparatus. Further, under process conditions of high pressure or temperature, any tendency of the body or cover members to warp does not interfere with the ability of the apparatus to function.

The apparatus of this invention may be fabricated as a compact unitary assembly which is readily installed or removed from its operating position in alignment with the threadline. Devices for making rapid piping by simple push-pull motions are readily available. Bolts or other fasteners are used to secure the assembly in proper alignment and mechanically support it.

The various known processes for treating yarn with a fluid such as disclosed in Breen U.S. 2,783,609, Bunting and Nelson U.S. 2,985,995, Breen and Sussman U.S. 3,009,309 and others, may be accomplished in this apparatus. The yarn passages shown in this application are illustrative and any useful configuration may be incorporated in the apparatus. The fluid conduits may intercept the threadline at any selected angle and, if desired, orifices may be inserted in the conduits to regulate the flow of treating fluid into the individual treating passages.

Various readily available materials may be used in the construction of the apparatus described in this invention. Tool steel or hardened stainless steel may be used for the cover and body members for dimensional stability at elevated temperatures. Ceramic or plastic compositions may also be suitable. Abrasion-resistant inserts of ceramic, chrome-plated or sintered metals may be used at wear points along the thread path.

Similarly, the components may be fabricated by conventional'methods. When flat surfaces are used in the opposing faces of the body member and cover, they may be produced by grinding or lapping. The contours of the treating passages or curved surfaces for the body and cover may be produced by casting, molding, or coining methods, as well as by machining.

Many equivalent modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the above without a departure from the inventive concept.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for fiuid treatment of continuous substantially straight filaments comprising a body member having an essentially flat surface, a channeled cover member removably mounted over the said flat surface in substantially parallel, spaced relationship thereto, the said body member and cover together cooperating to form a plurality of passages each having a yarn inlet opening and a yarn exit opening .at the extreme ends of the said passages, a slot substantially spanning the space between the said body member and the said cover member providing access to said passages from at least one side, spacer means for maintaining said body member in said substantially parallel, spaced relationship, plural duct means within said body member operatively connected with each of said plurality of passages between said inlet and outlet openings for introducing a heated fluid along the length of the filaments, and a fluid delivery system within said body member, said fluid delivery system having a first common reservoir for receiving heated fluid under posi- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1966 Clendening et al. 28-1 7/1966 Sparling 28-1 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner. L. K. RIMRODT, Examiner. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR FLUID TREATMENT OF CONTINUOUS SUBSTANTIALLY STRAIGHT FILAMENTS COMPRISING A BODY MEMBER HAVING AN ESSENTIALLY FLAT SURFACE, A CHANNELED COVER MEMBER REMOVABLY MOUNTED OVER THE SAID FLAT SURFACE IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL, SPACED RELATIONSHIP THERETO, THE SAID BODY MEMBER AND COVER TOGETHER COOPERATING TO FORM A PLURALITY OF PASSAGES EACH HAVING A YARN INLET OPENING AND A YARN EXIT OPENING AT THE EXTREME ENDS OF THE SAID PASSAGES, A SLOT SUBSTANTIALLY SPANNING THE SPACE BETWEEN THE SAID BODY MEMBER AND THE SAID COVER MEMBER PROVIDING ACCESS TO SAID PASSAGES FROM AT LEAST ONE SIDE, SPACER MEAND FOR MAINTAINING SAID BODY MEMBER IN SAID SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL, SPACED RELATIONSHIP, PLURAL DUCT MEANS WITHIN SAID BODY MEMBER OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH EACH OF SAID PLURALITY OF PASSAGES BETWEEN SAID INLET AND OUTLET OPENINGS FOR INTRODUCING A HEATED FLUID ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE FILAMENTS, AND A FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM WITHIN SAID BODY MEMBER, SAID FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM HAVING A FIRST COMMON RESERVOIR FOR RECEIVING HEATED FLUID UNDER POSITIVE PRESSURE, A SECOND COMMON RESERVOIR SPACED FROM SAID FIRST COMMON RESERVOIR, A PLURALITY OF CONVEYING MEANS FOR CONVEYING SAID HEATED FLUID FROM SAID FIRST COMMON RESERVOIR TO SAID SECOND COMMON RESERVOIR, SAID PLURAL DUCT MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID SECOND COMMON RESERVOIR FOR DELIVERY SAID HEATED FLUID TO EACH OF SAID PLURAL DUCT MEANS AT SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENT TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE WHEREBY SAID BODY MEMBER IS HEATED SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORMLY AND SAID FILAMENTS ARE SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORMLY TREATED IN THEIR TRAVEL THROUGH SAID APPARATUS. 